Blackhead extractor



Dec. 23, 1941. F. w. BENTQN BLACKHEAD EXTRAGTOR- Filed Sept. 18, 1940.

Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLACKHEAD EXTRACTORFrank W. Benton, Wilson, N. C.

Application September 18, 1940, SerialNo. 357,307

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for extracting comedones, or what arecommonly known as blackheads, from the skin, and the main object of theinvention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and eflicient constructionof device by which blackheads may be easily, quickly and painlesslyextracted. 6

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which may be readily manipulated for extraction of blackheadswithout injury to the skin and which is so constructed as to be easilykept in sanitary condition.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination andarrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of a blackhead extractor constructedin accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 22 of Fig. 1 showingthe parts as they appear in their normal position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 2 showing, respectively, anadjustment of the plunger for a cleaning operation and an adjustment ofthe plunger for a blackhead extracting operation.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cylinder member of the extractor.

In carrying my invention into practice I provide an extractor of thecharacter described comprising a body or cylinder formed of a body orcylinder member proper I and a cap member 2. The member I is provided atits forward end with a reduced portion forming an extracting tube 3which is in open communication at its rear end with the cylinder chamber4. In rear of this cylinder chamber 4 the member I is provided with aslot 5 extending diametrically through the same from side to sidethereof, and at its rear end the member I is provided with andterminates in an externally threaded tubular boss or nipple 6.

The cap member 2 is provided with a cylindrical forward portion which isof the same external diameter as the body of the cylinder member I. Thisportion of the member 2 is formed with an internally threaded opening Ito receive and engage the nipple, whereby the cylinder and cap membersare detachably connected. In rear of this opening I and communicatingtherewith is a socket 8, also located in the cylindrical part of the capmember. The rear end of the cap member is reduced and terminates in aknob or enlargement 9, whereby it may be conveniently gripped andmanipulated.

Mounted to slide in the cylinder member is a plunger comprising aplunger body I0, which fits and slides in the chamber 4 and a reducedplunger portion orstem I I which is fitted to slide in the bore of thetube 3. A coiled spring I2 is disposed in the forward portion of thechamber 4 between the plunger body I0 and the front wall of said chamberand acts to hold the plunger normally retracted. Another spring I3 isarranged to bear at its forward end against the rear end of the plungerbody and extends from the cylinder member I through the nipple 6 intothe socket 8 of the member 2 and operates to hold the plunger pressedforwardly and to resist its rearward movement except to a predetermineddegree under the action of the spring I2. The two springs operate inbalancing relation to normally hold the plunger in the position shown inFig. 2, in which the forward end of the plunger stem I I lies within anda short distance inwardly from the forward end of the tube 3, in whichposition such end of the plunger stem is enclosed and protected frominjury or contamination by contact with extraneous objects.

Fitted to slide upon the cylinder is a sleeve I4 which is normallydisposed in the position shown in Fig. 2 and covers the slot 5. Thissleeve is provided with an annular bead or enlargement I5 which ispreferably milled or serrated and forms a finger-piece by means of whichit may be moved longitudinally relative to the cylinder. This sleeve isheld in position and connected with the plunger by means of a couplingpin I6 which passes through an opening in the plunger body and throughthe slot 5 and is movable backwardly and forwardly in the latter. Anyordinary type of coupling pin may be used which is engaged at itsopposite ends with the sleeve in any suitable manner, but in the presentinstance I have shown the use of a screw having a threaded end engagingthe sleeve at one side and a headed end countersunk in the sleeve at theopposite side. The use of a coupling screw is preferred as it providesfor the more ready and convenient coupling of the parts together andrelease of the sleeve and plunger by disengaging the screw in order toadapt the parts to be readily and conveniently assembled for use ordisassembled for cleaning, repairs or other purposes.

The normal position of the parts, as stated, is

that shown in Fig. 2, in which the plunger is in retracted position andwith the forward end of the plunger stem lying within the tube 3. Thisnormal arrangement of the parts adapts the plunger to be moved forwardlyto project the plunger end, as shown in Fig. 5, for cleaning by simplymoving the sliding sleeve forwardly or holding said sleeve stationaryand exerting rearward pressure on the knob 9 of the stem member 2. Thisoperation of projecting the plunger will clear the forward .end of thetube 3 ofany foreign substances which may have accumulated therein andwill expose the end of the plunger stem so that it may be cleaned beforeuse and at other times to maintain it in a sanitary condition. Upon therelease of the parts after such forward adjustment of the plunger theparts will be returned to normal position by the springs l2 and I3. Inthe use of the device for the extraction of a blackhead, the plunger mayfirst be projected, as shown in Fig. 5, and cleaned preparatory to theextracting operation. The extractor .is then disposedso as to bring theforward end of the tube 3 over the blackhead and in contact with theskin about the same, whereupon the sliding sleeve is moved rearwardly toimpart corresponding motion to the plunger, which will be adjusted tothe position shown in Fig. 6. In this will be readilyunderstood withouta further and extended description, and it will be seen that theinvention provides a device for the purpose which is simple ofconstruction, eificient in action for the extraction of blackheadswithout injury to the skin, and which may be manufactured and sold at acomparatively low cost. While the structure disclosed is preferred itwill, of course, be understood that changes in the construction, formand arrangement of the parts may be made within the scopeof the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. 'A device for extracting blackheads from the skin comprising acylinder having a suction tube at one end thereof, a plunger movable insaid tube, said plunger having an outer end portion normally lying adistance inwardly from the outer end of the tube and said plunger beingmovable forwardly to project its end beyond the outer'end of the tubeand being movable rearwardly to form a vacuum in the tube, and springmeans for maintaining the plunger in its normal position and retractingit after being projected forwardly.

2. A device for extracting blackheads from the skin comprising acylinder having a suction tube at one end thereof, a plunger movable insaid tube, said plunger having an outer end portion normally lying adistance inwardly from the outer end of the tube and said plunger beingmovable forwardly to project its end beyond the outer end of the tubeand being movable rearwardly to form a vacuum in the tube, a spring inthe cylinder between the cylinder and plunger when moved backwardly tonormal position, a spring in the cylinder between the cylinder andplunger for returning the plunger when projected forwardly back tonormal position, and means for moving the plunger forwardly orbackwardly.

FRANK W. BENTON.

